8:15David administered justice and equity. As the prototypical theocratic king, David not only subjugated Israel’s enemies (vv. 1–14), but also knew that his calling was to be just (23:3). His descendants did not always follow his example, despite prophetic exhortation (Jer. 22:3). Ultimately they saw the ruin of Jerusalem (foretold in, e.g., Jer. 22:5; cf. 52:12–14). But even before the fall of Jerusalem, there arose a hope for a “righteous Branch” from the line of David, “a king [who] shall deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land” (Jer. 23:5; 33:15). On this messianic expectation, see note 7:4–17.